By Nick Thomas
The American cider industry is booming just about everywhere, but this apple biz is especially booming just outside of The Big Apple in New York’s countryside. The state is ranked nationally as the second largest producer of apples with 29.5 million bushels produced annually, so it was only a matter of time before someone added a little yeast and began imbibing. And now, it’s time to celebrate that fact.
New York’s southern Hudson Valley region will be celebrating all things apples November 14‒23 in an event aptly titled the Hudson Valley Cider Week—part of a larger, nation circuit of Cider Weeks. The festivities are targeted at everyone even remotely related to the cider industry from orchard to consumer. The goals of the event include establishing a connection between Hudson Valley cider and local restaurants, increasing interest in heirloom apple varieties that are great for making cider, educating cideries about trade and increasing interest in cider in the general public.
With more than participating 60 restaurants, bars and markets, and 15 participating cideries including Naked Flock, Slyboro and Nine Pin (check out our recent profile of Nine Pin here), everyday features different cider-themed events at various locations and cities throughout the region.
In addition to daily cider tastings at Old Mill Wine & Spirits, participants can join in on: a pressing party hosted by Nine Pin in which the cidery will press more than 80 apple varieties into one epic cider blend accompanied by live music, a raffle and of course, cider; a cider and cheese pairing party featuring seven Hudson Valley cideries and an array of local New York cheeses; a cider and crêpe dinner hosted by Ravenous Crepes; a Mom’s Night Out event at Bad Seed’s new taproom, and many more!
The majority of the events are free, though some have an admission fee ranging from $5-75. See the full list of events by clicking here.
